Imagine heavy-duty three-piece power funk with an Italian version of David Clayton Thomas (Blood Sweat & Tears) at the microphone, all placed in a progressive-hard-rock context. Add some police sirens and you have "L.A.," the opening track of this eponymous release by Tajack. A four piece of rippin' guitar, rumbling power bass, busy drums, and dedicated vocalist Fernando Marsili, the keyword here is high energy, beginning to end. The music herein has a definite early 70s hard-rock feel — not metal, but a fat and funky sound; Colliseum, maybe, or Blood Sweat and Tears on steroids, but without their respective brass sections. Their drive is passionate and unrelenting, you'll need a cigarette after listening to this. Guitarist Pat Franceschini burns the fretboard with his free-wheeling attack, while bassist Albert Tankou and drummer Guido Minguzzi push the pedal through the floor. These guys have a sense of humor too: "Rrasta Man" is a bizarre mix of Caribbean textures with a spirited and humorous vocal performance to match; the only place where they slow it down a bit is on "Raggiungimi," going for a slower and heavier sound. Their homage to Hendrix is "L'Ombra del Gigante," beginning with riffs from "Voodoo Child" and ending with an unusual version of "Purple Haze." The final two tracks are live cuts, confirming what the previous nine have led the listener to suspect: this band is as amazing live as they are in the studio.

Latest news

2018-11-16The Seventeenth Dream of Dr Sardonicus Festival Tickets Now Available –
Fruits de Mer Records and their merry crew of psychedelic explorers are getting set to present the next The Seventeenth Dream of Dr. Sardonicus Festival. The dates are set for August 2-4, 2019 at The Cellar Bar in Cardigan, Wales. They've also announced that the legendary Groundhogs will top the bill. »
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2018-11-02Charles O'Meara (C.W. Vrtacek) RIP –
A true musical original has left us. Charles O'Meara, who recorded under the name C.W. Vrtacek, was a wild-card musical talent, ranging from complex progressive rock to introspective modern compositions, with stops at many places inbetween. »
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2018-10-17Eurock Documentary Seeks Funding –
We've been fans and fellow travelers with Archie Patterson and his Eurock project on the journey to discover great music. After many years of promoting and trying to spread the word,a new phase is beginning: a documentary film. Things like this don't just happen, and money does not magically appear to make it happen, so it's up to the fans to get it done. »
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2018-09-29Marty Balin RIP –
One of the architects of the 60s psychedelic sound of San Francisco has died at the age of 76. Marty Balin was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was one of the founders of Jefferson Airplane. After the split of the original Airplane, Balin went on to form the highly successful Jefferson Starship. »
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2018-09-25Help the Psychic Equalizer Avoid Extinction –
Last year we reviewed the debut album by Psychic Equalizer, a musical project of Hugo Selles. He's now working on the ambitious follow-up to that release, and is seeking funding from listeners around the world. »
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Previously in Exposé...

Runaway Totem - Esameron –
Since their debut in the early 90s, Runaway Totem has always had interesting music to serve up. Their early Black Widow releases were extremely dark and twisted endeavors, while their first for Musea...
(2008) »
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